The owner of the 42.67 metre Sun State built superyacht Leight Star has captured world headlines after using his yacht to deliver crucial supplies to the victims of California’s raging wildfires.
Howard Leight, co-owner of the Malibu Oaks winery, and his friend Bill Kerbox issued a social media call using the hashtag #malibuhope to enlist the help of volunteers for the aid effort, which took place on Tuesday, November 13.
“We have acquired the use of the 150 foot yacht Leight Star and Marina Del Ray to deliver essential food, water and basic supplies to Paradise Cove Tuesday morning. We need donations of these items and a delivery truck and staging area,” it read.
A group of helpers were quick to volunteer and loaded up the yacht with essential provisions including 3,000 bottles of water, 100 gallons of fuel, snacks, dog food and beer.
Their good Samaritan efforts were almost thwarted however when police stopped the yacht on its approach to the cove and said they would not be allowed to ferry provisions to the shore.
The deputy sheriff told the volunteers “if we’re not letting people in by land, we’re not letting them in by sea,” according to the LA Times.
Luckily, numerous surfers and paddle boarders were able to lend a hand to transfer the supplies.
Delivered in 1984, the US-built Sun Star superyacht Leight Star was designed by Brooks Dees, with Joel Welter handling naval architecture. Doug Sharp was the interior designer.
Accommodation is for 10 guests across five cabins, with a crew quarters housing seven. She has a top speed of 17 knots and range of 3,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots.